Currently embarking on a new phase of my life and contemplating the
various "forks in the road" that got me here. I studied to be an
English teacher and yet, somehow, I've ended up working in Special
Ed. It's still fairly early in the game but I seem to have an
aptitude for it. Is this where my future lies? Stay tuned...

But aside from that...

My nieces and nephews are another very important part of my life.
Spending time with them rewards me on many levels (and allows the
"kid in me" to occasionally run wild and free!). I mean, without
them I'd never be able to run through sprinklers and throw water
balloons.

By the way, before we go any further, I should also mention that I
have a lifelong weakness for a well turned phrase (not necessarily
a bad thing as I embark on my second career as a high school
teacher) and have the possibly delusional belief that anything that
happens in life, good, bad or somewhere in between, can be the raw
stuff of art. I like to write and so I think that it's only fair to
warn you that I can't promise that any conversation or confidence
won't be used as grist for the mill (with names changed to protect
the guilty, of course).

And speaking of "good, bad or somewhere in between" is my love for
the Cubs which, these days is starting to feel more and more like a
hereditary affliction. I DO have hopes that someday a cure might be
discovered. Thank God I have the Blackhawks to remind me that
sports isn't always about disappointment. Yeah, I have to admit
that rooting for a winner can be kind of addicting...

Favorite books include anything by John Steinbeck, John Irving,
Henry Miller or Theodore Dreiser. Also "A Farewell To Arms" by
Hemingway, "Fear Of Flying' by Erica Jong, "Babbit" by Sinclair
Lewis, "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby, "The Razor's Edge", by
Maugham.
Also "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi and ANYTHING that Harvey Pekar
(R.I.P.) or Anton Chekhov put their names on.

My fav book of the last couple of years would probably be "The Book
Thief" by Markus Zusak and was completely blown away by it. I
actually started reading it to start refamiliarizing myself with
adolescent literature and wasn't ready for just how engrossing (and
beautifully written) it is.

TV; favorite shows include "Arrested Development", "Curb Your
Enthusiasm", "Monty Python's Flying Circus", "Life On Mars"
(British version only) "The Venture Brothers" (a cartoon satire
with the scope of a Russian novel) and my current obsession,
"Sherlock" (why is it that BBC shows always seem so much smarter
than US ones?)

Films; ANYTHING by John Cassavetes, "Joe Versus the Volcano", "The
Big Lebowski", "The World According To Garp", "Bull Durham",
"Before Sunrise", "Before Sunset", "Waking Life", "The Great
Escape", "A Hard Day's Night", "Singing in the Rain", "The Stunt
Man", "Eyes Wide Shut", "Local Hero", "Half Nelson", "Brazil",
"Monty Python's The Meaning of Life", "Rear Window", "It's A
Wonderful Life", "American Splendor", "Harry and Tonto", "Withnail
and I", "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" and many
others.

Music; Classical, Blues, Jazz, Classic Rock...The BEATLES are a
particular passion which comes perilously lose to full on geekdom.